President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday, Nov. 5, urged local government units (LGUs) to ensure the proper and transparent use of government funds for disaster rehabilitation and recovery, stressing that there would be ”no room for corruption.”
During the ceremonial turnover of Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP) funds at Malacañan Palace, Marcos said the PHP8.645 billion assistance for 306 disaster-affected LGUs must be used solely to rebuild communities and restore the affected livelihoods.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria were among the officials present to receive funds for their localities.
Marcos noted that the government has approved PHP8.645 billion in assistance for 306 LGUs severely affected by disasters from 2024 to 2026.
Of the total allocation, PHP6 billion has already been released, while the second tranche, amounting to more than PHP2.5 billion has been approved and is being downloaded to the LGUs.
The funds will support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, public buildings and evacuation centers, as well as the restoration of agriculture, housing, education, health services and local livelihoods.
“This is public money intended for our fellow Filipinos affected by disasters. It is not meant to be used for personal gain or to enrich anyone amid the tragedies we are experiencing),” Marcos said.
“There must be no room for corruption in this program. Ghost projects are prohibited. Kickbacks are prohibited. Substandard rehabilitation projects are prohibited,” he added.
Marcos warned that corruption and irregularities would not be tolerated.
“Anyone who tries to profit from the suffering of our fellow Filipinos will face the full force of the law. So, to our LGUs, I enjoin you, use these funds wisely and serve our people with the honesty, the diligence that they deserve,” he said.
He said the national government remains committed to helping LGUs recover from disasters through financial assistance and closer coordination to ensure that rehabilitation efforts address the actual needs of affected communities.
Marcos acknowledged that some LGUs could not afford to wait for lengthy processes before receiving assistance, prompting the government to streamline the release of rehabilitation funds.
Marcos emphasized that the assistance is distributed based on the needs of affected communities, regardless of political affiliation.
“It is with trust that we hand it to you based on need—no political color considered,” Marcos said, stressing that the funds are intended to help communities rebuild and provide essential services to their constituents.
He said the DRRAP provides direct financial assistance to LGUs and allows them to identify and prioritize interventions based on the specific circumstances of their communities.
Marcos acknowledged gaps in existing disaster recovery mechanisms, prompting the government to streamline the processing of rehabilitation assistance.
He said the processing period, which previously took eight to 11 months, has been shortened to four to six months, depending on the intervention.
Marcos also urged local officials to strengthen their capacity to document and report disaster impacts to the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
He said timely and comprehensive reporting would help the national government assess ground-level conditions, determine the needs of their communities, and deliver appropriate assistance.
“We trust our LGUs know what is best for their communities. In turn, we will provide the resources that you need to carry out these interventions,” he said.*PNA
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